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ERIC O’SULLIVAN Joins GARDELLA RACING
GARDELLA RACING ANNOUNCES EXPANDED 2011 PROGRAM WITH
ADDITION OF ’09 FORMULA DRIFT ROOKIE OF THE YEAR ERIC O’SULLIVAN
HOWELL, NJ (February 1, 2011) - Gardella Racing announced today that Irish
drifting champion and 2009 Formula DRIFT Rookie of the Year, Eric O’Sullivan,
will join the Howell NJ-based team for 2011.
In an exciting move, O’Sullivan will re-locate to Gardella Racing’s headquarters to
become heavily involved as both a team driver and Gardella Racing Ambassador
in the Formula DRIFT and grass roots programs.
Campaigning the Gardella Racing Pontiac Solstice in the 2011 Formula DRIFT
Pro Drift Championship, O’Sullivan will shortly begin an extensive testing
program alongside Gardella Racing driver Ryan Tuerck. In addition to the 2011
Formula DRIFT Program, O’Sullivan will also enjoy a broader role as Gardella
Racing Ambassador reaching out to the grass roots communities of North
American Drifting.
Speaking on the announcement of the move Eric O’Sullivan stated, “This move
is a dream come true for me. I am extremely proud and honored to have been
given this opportunity with Gardella Racing. Gardella Racing is a team that I
have always admired for their professionalism and commitment to top-level
motorsports and I am delighted to now be part of the team. Our plans for 2011
are extremely exciting and I cannot wait to get behind the wheel of the GR
Pontiac Solstice and begin preparations.”
Following an extensive search for a 2nd driver via the team’s social media
network , Gardella Racing Team Owner Gary Gardella also commented on the
deal , “There are a lot of talented drivers out there, many of whom applied to
be part of the Gardella Racing team. Eric was the one driver who stood out and
met all of the qualities I was looking for in a driver,” continued Gardella. “He is a
champion driver, a great spokesman for partners, and a team player, expecting
to be more involved in the team in addition to driving.”
More details on the extent of O’Sullivan’s role with Gardella Racing will be
revealed over the coming months when the Irish driver will travel to New Jersey
and be officially introduced to his 2011 team and vehicle.
About Gardella Racing: Gardella Racing was established in 2001. Team owner,
Gary Gardella, holds multiple driving awards and world records in sport compact
drag racing. Gary’s professionalism and work ethic has enabled the team to
continue to have success on and off the racetrack. Throughout the years, the
team has held successful and long lasting partnerships with General Motors, Red
Bull, Mobil 1, and DuPont. In addition to becoming a large corporate backed race
team, Gardella successfully expanded his program to include show cars, drifting,
and now road racing. In 2008, the team exited drag racing and made their debut
in Formula D; the change proved successful, as the still rookie team finished the
2009 season second in the championship points race.
About Eric O’Sullivan: 30-year-old Eric O’Sullivan is one of the most
accomplished European Drifters in Formula DRIFT. A 2007 Prodrift Champion
(Ireland) and 2008 JDM Allstars Champion (UK), the Dublin driver has also
enjoyed success at various international and European competitions. A qualified
and experienced motorsport technician, O’Sullivan’s most recent success came in
the form of 2009 Formula DRIFT Rookie of the Year, following a 2009 2nd place
at Evergreen Speedway, Seattle.